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Which is why I've stopped using them as much to log into my accounts. But I haven't weakened my online security by doing so. In fact, I've improved it—and sped up my login times, too.
How? I set up passkeys for my accounts. It takes just a few minutes, doesn't cost anything, and can be done using your smartphone or PC. Using them is equally painless. When logging in, you choose the passkey option, then approve the login request with your thumbprint, face scan, or PIN. It's fast.
This authentication method is secure, too. A passkey improves on several password weaknesses:
They can't be guessed. Passkeys use an encryption method that uses two different kinds of keys as part of the verification process. The website gets the public key, while your smartphone, PC, security hardware key, or compatible password manager keeps and protects the private key. A private key can't be determined from a public key, so a website hack won't compromise your corresponding passkey.
Copies shouldn't work. Passkeys are specific to the smartphone, PC, or security hardware key that created them. If a copy of the private key is somehow stolen from your device,
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I haven't tested every one of these webcams, just most of them — and I describe how I test under my recommendations. You can also refer to my separate story on the best Windows Hello webcams for recommendations that aid videoconferencing and log you into your PC. Two recommendations from that list — a premium and budget option — appear on this list.
Take note of the FAQ at the bottom of this article, as there's a new upcoming Windows feature that may create some big ripples on the webcam industry!
Why you should trust me: PCWorld has been testing PC hardware since the 1980s, and I've been a technology journalist for 30 years, with extensive experience in reviewing PC hardware. When it comes to webcams, my recommendations are based on hands-on testing in real-world scenarios. I also tap the expertise and published reviews of my counterparts in Sweden and Germany to offer a comprehensive view of the current webcam landscape.
Updated May 1, 2024: My most recent review is of the Logitech MX Brio, a 4K webcam that is the sort-of successor to the Logitech Brio 4K. While it challenged BenQ's IdeaCam S1 Pro for the best premium webcam, I don't think it quite offers enough.
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